Use of Force Expert Witnesses Testify in Alleged Police Beating

Deptford, NJ, Police Patrolman John Gillespie is charged with aggravated assault and official misconduct after allegedly choking and beating Joseph Rao Jr., 20, during a traffic stop and arrest in February 2006. Last week the jury heard testimony from Rao himself. Expert witnesses then called to testify in the case included William Pearson, a law enforcement veteran from Morristown and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. The second witness called to the stand by the prosecution was Deptford Patrolman Sandra Reid. Ried processed the arrest of Rao on Feb. 2, 2006. The trial will resume Thursday with use of force expert witnesses. The trial is expected to last through the week of July 13th reports the CourierPostOnline.